Rational curves with polynomial parameterization (Q1182359)

In graphics and modelling it is very useful to know if a curve presented as a rational space curve has a polynomial parametrization. It is known that a rational algebraic curve is polynomially parametrizable iff it has one place at infinity. This criterion has been used in earlier methods, but the resulting algorithms are complicated. The paper presents an algorithm for deciding whether a given rational plane or space curve has a polynomial parametrization. The test condition is both necessary and sufficient. If the polynomial parametrization exists, the algorithm computes it by a rational reparametrization of the curve. This algorithm works also for the computational of the proper parametrization of improperly parametrized rational surfaces.